Forest of Dean

Forest of Dean's population grew older in the 10 years leading up to 2011. Data from the census also show there were changes in religion, family life and housing tenure.

The population reached nearly 82,000

Between the last two censuses, the population of Forest of Dean increased by 2.5%, from almost 80,000 to 82,000.

The addition of almost 2,000 people means this area's population increased at a slower rate than the total population of England (up 7.9% since the 2001 census).

In 2011, Forest of Dean was home to, on average, 1.1 people per football pitch-sized piece of land.

Population density was similar to the average across the South West

Population density (usual residents per football pitch-sized piece of land) across the South West, March 2011 (larger dots represent greater increase since 2001)

An older Forest of Dean

Census 2011 data also show a change in the local population's average age.

Between the last two censuses, the median age of Forest of Dean increased by four years, from 41 to 45 years.

This rural area had a higher average age than the South West and remained older than the average local authority area across England (39 years of age).

The rise in age was because of an increase of about 3,200 people between the ages of 60 and 69 years, while the population between 30 and 39 years decreased by just over 3,000.

About 14% of people in Forest of Dean are aged between 60 and 69 years

Percentage of usual residents in England, South West and Forest of Dean by 10 year age band, March 2001 and March 2011

Disability in Forest of Dean

Forest of Dean saw the South West's second-largest rise in the proportion of people who are considerably limited by a long-term health problem or disability.

In 2011, just over 1 in 25 (4.1%) in Forest of Dean reported being limited a lot in their day-to-day activities, compared with 3.1% in 2001. The percentage who are slightly limited by a long-term health problem or disability increased from 7.5% to 7.7%.

Across the region, only Torbay saw a greater rise in the proportion of people who are considerably limited by a long-term health problem or disability (from 4.1% to 5.3%).

Every local authority area across the South West saw a rise in the proportion of people who are considerably limited by a long-term health problem or disability, as the regional average grew from 3.0% to 3.7%.

The proportion of people who are limited a lot by a long-term health problem or disability was higher than across the South West

Percentage of usual residents that reported being considerably limited in their day-to-day activities across local authority areas in the South West and the average across England, March 2011

Religion in Forest of Dean

The number of people in Forest of Dean that described themselves as Christian increased from just under 62,000 in 2001 to about 54,000 in 2011. This represents a change from 77% to 66% of the local population.

The percentage decreased by less than the average across the South West (from 74% to 60%) and the average across England (from 72% to 59%).

The number of people in Forest of Dean that described themselves as having no religion increased from just over 11,000 in 2001 to about 21,000 in 2011 (from 14% to 25%). The number of people who did not disclose their religious affiliation decreased from just under 6,700 to just over 6,500 (from 8.4% to 7.9%).

About 440 people (0.3%) said they identified with a religion other than Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Judaism, Buddhism or Sikhism, up from about 220 in 2001 (0.5%).

There are many factors that can cause changes to the religious profile of an area, such as migration and varying fertility rates between religious groups. Changes may also be caused by differences in the way individuals choose to self-identify between censuses.

The population who identified as Christian in Forest of Dean decreased by 11 percentage points

Percentage of usual residents in England, South West and Forest of Dean by religion, March 2001 and March 2011

Fewer homes with children

Forest of Dean saw the South West's second-largest fall in the proportion of households with children.

In 2011, just over one in four (26%) households in Forest of Dean had at least one dependent child, compared with 30% in 2001. The percentage with no children increased from 60% to 63%.

Across the region, only Isles of Scilly saw a greater fall in the proportion of households with children (from 24% to 20%).

Because of its small size, comparisons to Isles of Scilly should be made with caution.

The proportion of households with children was lower than across the South West

Percentage of households with at least one dependent child across local authority areas in the South West and the average across England, March 2011

Change in unpaid care provision

Forest of Dean saw the South West's second-largest rise in the proportion of people providing 50 hours, or more, of weekly unpaid care.

In 2011, just over 1 in 40 (2.7%) in Forest of Dean reported providing at least 50 hours of unpaid care each week, compared with 2.0% in 2001. The percentage that provided between 20 and 49 hours of weekly unpaid care increased from 1.1% to 1.5%.

Across the region, only Torbay saw a greater rise in the proportion of people providing 50 hours, or more, of weekly unpaid care (from 2.8% to 3.6%).

Every local authority area across the South West saw a rise in the proportion of people providing 50 hours, or more, of weekly unpaid care, as the regional average grew from 2.0% to 2.4%.

The proportion of people providing 50 hours, or more, of weekly unpaid care in Forest of Dean remained close to 2.7%

Percentage of usual residents in England, South West and Forest of Dean by care, March 2001 and March 2011

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